Jeff Gordon has history of making up for on-track mistakes

MIKE HARRISAP Auto Racing Writer

Published Sunday, August 19, 2007

Jeff Gordon was downright embarrassed after making a mistake last Sunday that cost him an almost certain win and 10 more bonus points heading into the upcoming NASCAR Chase for the Nextel Cup championship.

It's not the first time this year the four-time Cup champion has made a costly mistake. And, if history repeats itself, his competition better look out.

"It's like what happened at Texas earlier this year when I brushed the wall," a sheepish Gordon said after his uncharacteristic spinout with two laps to go last Sunday on the road course at Watkins Glen International. "I was disappointed after that race just like I was at Watkins Glen."

The slip-up at Texas also came when Gordon was leading, that time with 25 laps to go on the 1.5-mile oval. After that mess up, Gordon told his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team he "would make it up to them."

He made good on that promise by winning three of the next four races, including the next two weeks at Phoenix and Talladega.

Now he feels like it's time to do it again.

"Obviously, I was very disappointed following the (Watkins Glen) race," Gordon said. "We were terrible during Saturday's practice, but the guys on the DuPont team gave me a great car and made some great calls in the pits during the race.

"I wanted that win and pushed, but I pushed too hard. The team deserved the win and the driver didn't deliver. I told the guys last time that I'd make it up to them, and I plan on doing that again."

He'll have some extra help, beginning this week at Michigan International Speedway, with crew chief Steve Letarte returning after a six-week suspension for a technical infraction at Sonoma.

In his crew chief's absence, Gordon has six consecutive top-10 finishes, including four top-fives.

The week before Sonoma, Gordon finished ninth at Michigan and extended his lead over runner-up Denny Hamlin to 264 points. At Sonoma, NASCAR not only banned Letarte but assessed Gordon a 100-point penalty, dropping his lead to 171 despite a seventh-place finish.

Heading into Sunday's 3M Performance 400, Gordon is now leading Hamlin by 344 points and is the only driver who has clinched a spot in the 12-man Chase.

"Jeff Meendering did a tremendous job filling in for Steve, but it'll be great to have Steve back," Gordon said. "I've been impressed with Steve's ability to call a race, and he has given me great cars this year."

With the Chase drivers each getting 10 bonus points for each win this season, Gordon -- tied with teammate Jimmie Johnson for the series lead with four wins apiece -- knows what he needs to do.

"It's all about wins right now," Gordon said. "We want to get as many bonus points as we can before the Chase starts."